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(No Model.)

E. A. HOPKINS.

RULING PEN.

No. 891,849. Patented Oct. 80, 1888.V

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FDW/ARD A. HOPKINS, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESO'IIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- IIALF TO HUGH M. REID, OF SAME PLAGE.

RULING=PEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,849, dated October 30, 1888.

Application filed August 27, 1988. Serial No 283,918.

.To all whom it may concern:

Bc it known that l, EDWARD A. Hopkins, of hilinneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ruling-Pens, of

which the following is a specification.

4My invent-ion relates to certain improvements in ruling-pens, and the object I have in view is to provide an instrument of this class which will be selfinking and not liableto blur o1' blot while being used.

My invention consists, generally, in the construction and arrangement hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved pen. Fig. 2is alongitudinal vertical section showing the interior construcco tion of the feeding device. Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views showing a modification in the construction of the roll.

In the drawings, 2 represents the handle of a pen, made of any convenient size or shape.

The end of this handle is secured to a tube, 4, into the upper end of which the handle 2 is fitted. The lower end of this tube is preferably provided with the ears or projections 6.

A pin or axle, 8, is preferably secured to and extends between the projections 6, and a disk or roller, l0, is supported by and revolves upon this axle. The projections 6 upon the tube 4 embrace this roll and hold it in a central position under the open end of the tube 4. An inking-pad, l2, which may be composed of felt or any other suitable material, is preferably introduced into the tube until the lower portion strikes the periphery of the roll l0.

A wire, 14, is preferably secured to theinking-pad, and extends upward through the tube and projects a sufficient distance above it to allow for the removal of the pad. A recess may be formed in the end of the handle 2, to receive the wire la when the handle and tube are placed together. The roll 10 may be of any suitable size, and the construction may be varied in order to give a wide or narrow face to the roll. The surface may be made fiat, as shown in Fig. 2, and of any width required to suit the line to be drawn. Another const-ruc- (No model.)

tion is shown in Fig. 3, in which the periphery of the roll is rounded, in order to allow slight variation in the angle of the pen and still allow it to make a smooth and continued line.

In Fig. 4: I have shown a roll constructed of 55 two disks or plates converging toward each other at their outer edges, and leaving a space between them in which the ink may collect as the roll is brought in contact with thepad. The ink passes from the interior of the roll through the space between the edges of the disks.

In Fig. 5 I have shown another construction of the roll, in which it is formed of a double face. This construction will give two marking-edges and a double line will be produced. Any number of inking-pads may be used with one pen, and each of these pads may be of a different color, in order that by simply changing the pad in the tube 4 any desired color may be given to the line.

The operation of the device is as follows: The handle 2 is removed from the tube 4, and an inking-pad, l2, is selected to give the required color for the line. This pad may bc moistened with the ink, which it will absorb, and after it has been so moistened. it may be inserted within the tube 4. The handle 2 is now inserted into the top of the tube and the pen is ready for use.

It will be seen that the pen can be used in any place where an ordinary ruling-pen is adapted to be used,and is particularly adapted for use upon account and blank books,where a pen is needed for a short time and then laid aside. In such cases, where the ordinary rul- -ing-pen is used, the ink is continually drying in the pen, and more time is consumed in preparing the pen for use than in the actual use of it. Vith my improvement the pen is always ready for use, and the pad when once moistened will remain so for a long time. It being incloscd in the tube, the evaporation or drying of the ink is very slow, and, if desired, a prepared ink may be usedsuch asis ordinarily used for inking-stamps-which docs not evaporate if exposed to the air. The inkingpad absorbs the ink and retains it, and only distributes it upon the roll as it is needed for use. `Consequently all liability to blot or mar the book in the use of my pen is avoided.

With my pen Iam enabled to rule lines upon the roll l0, provided with a ruling-edge, and common or brous paper, upon which it would the nking-parl arranged 1n Contact Wlth said be impossible to use an ordinary rulingpen. roll, substantially as descrlbed.

I claim as my invention- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 5 l. As e new article of manufmeturea ruling hand this 22d of. August, 1888.

pen eonslstlng of a roll, 10, a smtable tube for EDWARD A. HOPKINS Supporting said roll, and an inking-pad, l2,iny serted in said tube and in Contact with Suid In presence of* roll, substantially as described. R. H. SANFORD, IC 2. Aruling-pen comprising,incombination, C. L. NACHTRIEB. 

